Motor development in babies is one aspect that needs to be considered at an early age. Motor skills are very important activities for humans because, with motor skills, humans can achieve their goals.
The motor development of babies is divided into gross motor skills and fine motor skills. So, what is motor development, and what are the characteristics of a healthy child based ontheir motor development stage?
Well, this article will explain more about the motor development stages of babies aged 0–12 months. Let's take a look!
What Is Motor Development?
Motor development is the process by which children develop skills in moving their body parts, beginning with the head, tongue, lips, hands, fingers, and feet.
The baby's motor development skills are divided into gross and fine motor skills. Gross motor skills involve movements that require the coordination of multiple large muscles.
These skills do not emphasize precision in their execution. Running, jumping, throwing, and most sports skills are classified as gross motor skills.
Meanwhile, fine motor skills involve movements that use the small muscles in the hands and wrists.
These skills are often referred to as hand-eye coordination skills. Writing, drawing, and playing the piano are examples of such skills.
The Stages of Motor Development In Babies Aged 0–12 Months
Motor development is a gradual process. At each stage, motor development differs in babies aged 0–2 months.
The stages of gross motor development in babies aged 0–12 months, through to fine motor development, are as follows:
Motor Development In Babies Aged 0–3 Months
At the age of 0–3 months, a child's motor development approximately includes:
Gross Motor Skills
Gross motor development in babies aged 0–3 months begins with the ability to coordinate both eyes.
Then babies will learn to lift and turn their heads to the right and left while lying on their stomachs or backs. Generally, babies can also move their hands and feet while lying on their backs.
Fine Motor Skills
Then, for fine motor skills, babies aged 0–3 months begin to move their hands and frequently open their palms.
At this age, babies also enjoy swinging or hitting objects. Babies also learn to follow objects with their eyes and look at people's faces with a smile.
Motor Development In Babies Aged 3–6 Months
Then, at the age of 3–6 months, babies' motor development includes:
Gross Motor Skills
Gross motor development in babies aged 3–6 months is characterized by rolling movements.
When lying on their stomachs, babies can also lift their heads 90 degrees and slightly lift their bodies with their hands.
When lying on their backs, babies often lift their legs to their mouths. In addition, parents can also help pull both of the baby's hands into a sitting position.
Typically, the baby can hold and lift their head independently in this position.
Fine Motor Skills
In addition, in terms of fine motor skills, babies aged 3–6 months can grasp and transfer objects from one hand to the other.
They can also reach for toys with both hands and put objects in their mouth.
Motor Development In Babies Aged 6–9 Months
Next, at the age of 6–9 months, babies' motor development includes:
Gross Motor Skills
Gross motor development in babies aged 6–9 months is quite significant.
At this age, babies can get up from a lying position to sit without help and can roll and turn over on their own. When sitting, babies also like to reach for their toys.
But, there are times when they lose their balance, so you must always watch babies aged 6–9 months when they are sitting. In addition, babies will begin to crawl as their arm and leg muscles strengthen.
Fine Motor Skills
In terms of fine motor skills, babies aged 6–9 months will also have stronger finger muscles.
Therefore, babies can hold, swing, and move small objects, such as bottles and toys.
Usually, they like to put these objects in their mouths. In addition, babies can squeeze smooth-textured objects.
Motor Development In Babies Aged 9–12 Months
After that, at the age of 9–12 months, babies' motor development includes:
Gross Motor Skills
Parents eagerly await the development of gross motor skills in babies aged 9–12 months.
At this stage, your child can stand independently. Then they begin walking with some help from their parents.
Also, they can push or pull toys around them and climb stairs with some help.
Fine Motor Skills
In terms of fine motor skills, babies aged 9–12 months can also do many things.
They can point at objects, put things in their place, eat with a spoon, and turn the pages of a book.
In addition, babies enjoy stacking blocks and scribbling on paper with a pencil.
How to Stimulate Motor Development in Babies Aged 0–12 Months?
You can also help develop your little one's motor skills. The way to do this is to train and develop their motor skills.
Here are some motor skills that can be stimulated:
- At 0–3 months, you can start training your little one to lie on their stomach.
- At 6 months, you can start teaching your baby to crawl.
- At 4–7 months, you can start training them to sit.
- At 8–12 months, you can start teaching your child to stand and walk.
To carry out activities while monitoring your baby's motor development, you must always maintain your health. One way to do this is by drinking water.
In this regard, ensure the water you consume is of high quality. Therefore, choose #AQUADULU.
You should know that not all water is AQUA. AQUA contains natural minerals sourced from 19 selected mountains in Indonesia and is free from contamination due to its protective layers. Thus, AQUA is safe to consume.
This is also what makes AQUA taste naturally cool and refreshing, without requiring refrigeration.
Therefore, meet your daily fluid intake and maintain your health by drinking AQUA DULU!
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